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To me, one of the most interesting notions was the intertwining/conflict between classical Greek thought and the early strains of Christianity. Unless one reads Maccabees (One of the books of the Apocrypha), one does not realize that Palestine was very much a ward of the Alexandrine conquests, and the Grecian influence remained very strong even after the Romans came. Paul had a classical Greek education as well.
Never heard this before.
Paul had a classical greek education.?
Well any devout Roman Catholic will be able to tell you right away that Constantine's "cross" really was no cross at all, it was actually a "Chi Rho" which just so happens to form a "cross". This image of "Chi Rho" is most familiar among ancient pagan priest as "the keys to heaven and hell", but is also familiar in Plato's Timaeus, and also prior was depicted on some coins of Ptolemy III Euergetes 246–222 BC.
Anyways the symbol beforehand has much equivalent to the sacred rights and symbology similar to that displayed by Pharaohs and Egyptian high priest of the "Crook and Flail" which is also paired with an ankh carried by high priest and Pharaohs alike, symbolic of authority granted by the gate keepers of Heaven (Isis), and Hell (Osiris) producing an ascending heir and son Horus who is usually depicted with the Ankh (The Egyptian Cross)
Anyways the reason why I bring in Egyptian mythology is because it's very pictorial, but strangely enough all occultic faiths are similar in doctrine across the board only having different names for their various idol's. The Idol that would be closer affiliated with the Roman occultic doctrine would instead be Janus and as for the "Chi Rho" before it became the monogram of "Christ", the Chi Rho was the monogram of Chronos.
Also a good factoid not known by many is that the Roman Emperor also carried the title of Pontifex Maximus (Latin, literally: "greatest pontiff") was the high priest of the College of Pontiffs (Collegium Pontificum) in ancient Rome. In other words Constantine was not only Emperor but he was also head of the Occultic Rite and organization of Paganism as a whole in Rome. Constantine NEVER abandoned this roll, and even its practices, and "sacred rights" up until his death. People just assume because he officiated over "Christian Councils" that he too was a "Christian" ...the fact is up until the nearing of his death in the midst of what is commonly referred to as "The Arian Controversy" on Constantine's death bed he was then Baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia who he himself exiled for rejecting Trinitarian doctrines.
To say the least about "Constantine's Vision of the Cross", it is very ecumenical in the least because it uses occult ideology to make false or faked attribution to the Christian Messiah.
Understanding this too also helps you understand the occultic side of the Roman Catholic insiders infatuation with Peters "Keys to Heaven and Hell."
Ephesians 6 King James Version (KJV)
Words from Paul
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Well any devout Roman Catholic will be able to tell you right away that Constantine's "cross" really was no cross at all, it was actually a "Chi Rho" which just so happens to form a "cross". This image of "Chi Rho" is most familiar among ancient pagan priest as "the keys to heaven and hell", but is also familiar in Plato's Timaeus, and also prior was depicted on some coins of Ptolemy III Euergetes 246–222 BC.
Anyways the symbol beforehand has much equivalent to the sacred rights and symbology similar to that displayed by Pharaohs and Egyptian high priest of the "Crook and Flail" which is also paired with an ankh carried by high priest and Pharaohs alike, symbolic of authority granted by the gate keepers of Heaven (Isis), and Hell (Osiris) producing an ascending heir and son Horus who is usually depicted with the Ankh (The Egyptian Cross)
Anyways the reason why I bring in Egyptian mythology is because it's very pictorial, but strangely enough all occultic faiths are similar in doctrine across the board only having different names for their various idol's. The Idol that would be closer affiliated with the Roman occultic doctrine would instead be Janus and as for the "Chi Rho" before it became the monogram of "Christ", the Chi Rho was the monogram of Chronos.
Also a good factoid not known by many is that the Roman Emperor also carried the title of Pontifex Maximus (Latin, literally: "greatest pontiff") was the high priest of the College of Pontiffs (Collegium Pontificum) in ancient Rome. In other words Constantine was not only Emperor but he was also head of the Occultic Rite and organization of Paganism as a whole in Rome. Constantine NEVER abandoned this roll, and even its practices, and "sacred rights" up until his death. People just assume because he officiated over "Christian Councils" that he too was a "Christian" ...the fact is up until the nearing of his death in the midst of what is commonly referred to as "The Arian Controversy" on Constantine's death bed he was then Baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia who he himself exiled for rejecting Trinitarian doctrines.
To say the least about "Constantine's Vision of the Cross", it is very ecumenical in the least because it uses occult ideology to make false or faked attribution to the Christian Messiah.
Understanding this too also helps you understand the occultic side of the Roman Catholic insiders infatuation with Peters "Keys to Heaven and Hell."
Ephesians 6 King James Version (KJV)
Words from Paul
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
It is more than obvious that ALL religion has its roots in the occult...something I find absolutely interesting.
There are some fabulous insights posted above, I hope you keep these in mind when we get to the chapters that are relevant to the NT..
The development of Greek democracy and its demise may have a parallel in Israel under the judges. Waiting to see if this is developed. The ideal is so easily undermined.
Well any devout Roman Catholic will be able to tell you right away that Constantine's "cross" really was no cross at all, it was actually a "Chi Rho" which just so happens to form a "cross". This image of "Chi Rho" is most familiar among ancient pagan priest as "the keys to heaven and hell", but is also familiar in Plato's Timaeus, and also prior was depicted on some coins of Ptolemy III Euergetes 246–222 BC.
Anyways the symbol beforehand has much equivalent to the sacred rights and symbology similar to that displayed by Pharaohs and Egyptian high priest of the "Crook and Flail" which is also paired with an ankh carried by high priest and Pharaohs alike, symbolic of authority granted by the gate keepers of Heaven (Isis), and Hell (Osiris) producing an ascending heir and son Horus who is usually depicted with the Ankh (The Egyptian Cross)
Anyways the reason why I bring in Egyptian mythology is because it's very pictorial, but strangely enough all occultic faiths are similar in doctrine across the board only having different names for their various idol's. The Idol that would be closer affiliated with the Roman occultic doctrine would instead be Janus and as for the "Chi Rho" before it became the monogram of "Christ", the Chi Rho was the monogram of Chronos.
Also a good factoid not known by many is that the Roman Emperor also carried the title of Pontifex Maximus (Latin, literally: "greatest pontiff") was the high priest of the College of Pontiffs (Collegium Pontificum) in ancient Rome. In other words Constantine was not only Emperor but he was also head of the Occultic Rite and organization of Paganism as a whole in Rome. Constantine NEVER abandoned this roll, and even its practices, and "sacred rights" up until his death. People just assume because he officiated over "Christian Councils" that he too was a "Christian" ...the fact is up until the nearing of his death in the midst of what is commonly referred to as "The Arian Controversy" on Constantine's death bed he was then Baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia who he himself exiled for rejecting Trinitarian doctrines.
To say the least about "Constantine's Vision of the Cross", it is very ecumenical in the least because it uses occult ideology to make false or faked attribution to the Christian Messiah.
Understanding this too also helps you understand the occultic side of the Roman Catholic insiders infatuation with Peters "Keys to Heaven and Hell."
Ephesians 6 King James Version (KJV)
Words from Paul
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Not in the strict sense of the Greek academies, but it was not uncommon for Greek philosophy was taught in Jewish schools at the time, most notably that of Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Also, it's important to note that Paul quotes a number of Greek writers in his his epistles, writers such as Epimenedes, Aratus, and Menander. What's more, Paul uses the Greek word 'conscience' any number of times in his epistles, even though the concept does not exist in the Old Testament writings at all. Instead, it is more a Socratic concept. And Paul's polished fluency in Greek does speak to a degree of education. And it's worth noting that Tarsus was a major educational center, particularly that of Stoicism.
The rest of your post is kind of a tangent unrelated to the point at hand.
The book does give a pretty fair analysis of Greek culture for just a short section and how it was spread by Alexander and then preserved as well as spread by Rome. One of the most interesting things to me is the idea of the "Polis" or city state with it's attentant (though far from perfect) democracy. I am hoping for a comparison with Israel under the Judges.
Sorry, been reading slower than expected..started this and now juggling 3 books..
I have finished the intro to the Greek influence. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle playing a major role in religious thought? Not exactly what we learn in Philosophy 101 is it?
But everything has a point or origin and it should be a surprise to us that religion has a foundation in the Grecian/Athenian community.
I started my third-year EfM class, and the McCulloch book is our text for the year. Just read the Introduction and Greek and Rome sections, and we discussed them last night. Much of what we discussed has already been covered in this thread, so I won't go on, but I was curious as to whether anyone is interested in continuing the conversation. The priest who facilitates the class says that this is her third time reading the book, and she picks up new points each time. There is so much information.
Be happy to get back into it if we get a conversation going again.
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